Electric valve tripping circuit



1935- c. w. LA PIERRE ET AL ,1

ELECTRIC VALVE TRIPPING CIRCUIT Filed July 21, 1954 Inven bOTS m Cramer W. LaPierTe Milton S. Mead, Francis B.Men er,

Their Attornqg Patented Get. 1, 1935 I UNITED STATES PATENT A OFFICE ELECTRIC VALVE TRIPPING CIRCUIT poration of New York Application July 21, 1934, Serial No. 736,384 9Claims. ((31.172-281) Our invention relates to periodic current generating systems and more particularly to such circuits utilizing an electric valve for producing current impulses at predetermined time intervals.

Heretoiore numerous-arrangements have been devised for generating periodic current by means of electric circuits including electric valves. Certain of these arrangements utilizing electric valves have had the disadvantages of unsatisfactory operation of undesirable wide variations in the frequency of the periodic current output, or that only relative low power output could be obtained. For certain applications of such periodic current generating systems it is desirable that the generator supply current or voltage impulses of a predetermined duration at a frequency or time interval which may be varied over wide limits.

It is an object of our invention to provide an improved electric circuit including electric valves which will overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the arrangements or the prior art and which will be simple and reliable in operation over wide limits of frequency variation.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved method of operation an electric circuit including electric valves.

it is a further object of our intention to provide an improved electric circuit including elec tric valves for generating a periodic current which will operate sati'siactorilyover wide limits of frequency variation, and which will produce uni-= iorm impulses throughout the limits of frequency variation.

It is a still further object of our invention to provide an improved electric circuit including electric valves operating from an alternating current source so as to produce a single half wave current impulseat predetermined time intervals.

In accordance with one embodiment of our invention we provide an electric energy storage means, such as a capacitor, arranged to be charged from a unilaterally conductive circuit to a predetermined potential. This predetermined potential existing across the charged capacitor is impressed upon the grid or control circuit of an electric valve which is so arranged, or has such a characteristic, as to remain substantially nonconductive' until the potential charge across the capacitor is reducedto a predetermined value. In order toreduce this charge across the energy storage means to a predetermined value we provide a second circuit which is connected to the capacitor and which has a high impedance characteristic and supplies periodic unidirectional current impulses so as to reduce the potential charge of the capacitor by periodic increments to a point where the potential charge ofthe capacitor is reduced to the predetermined value so that the electric valve again becomes 'conduc- 5 tive. In the output circuit of the electric valve means are provided having a substantial impedance for generating a potential in accordance with the current flowing in the output circuit thereof and a portion of the potential thus de= 1i) veloped is selectively supplied to the unilaterally conductive charging circuit of the energy storage means.

For a better understanding of our invention together with other and further objects thereof, it? reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of our invention, Fig. 2 illustrates graphically the operating characteristics thereof and Fig. 3 shows a modification of our invention. The novel features which we believe to be characteristic of our invention are set forth with ticularlty in the appended claims.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawing, there is illustrated an arrangement for receiving energy from a source of pulsating current connected to the terminal iii and converting it into periodic current or voltage impulses appearing across the load terminals it. This apparatus comprises an electric valve 112 having an anode, a control ele= merit and a cathode which, as illustrated, may be of the indirectly heated type. lhis valve has the characteristic that it is substantially noncon ductive as long as a certain potential is present 5 between the control element and cathode thereoi. Thus, as is well-known by those skilled in the art, this valve may comprise a valve or a high vacuum type which is biased to substantially anode cur rent cutoff, or a valve of the discontinuous con- 4 trol type which preferably is of the vapor elec tric discharge type, as illustrated in the drawing. The anode is energized from the source of pulsating potential appearing across the terminal to and the cathode is also energized from this source through the medium of a suitable transformer it. 'The anode to cathodecircuit includes an impedance device or resistor M which is for the purpose of generating a voltage across this impedance whenever current flows in the anode to cathode circuit. a

An energy storage device, illustrated as a capacitor i5, is arranged to be charged from a circuit extending from one terminal of the impedance device It to the capacitor l5 through a unilaterally conducting device I! back to an adJustable contact ll of the impedance device ll. The unilaterally conductive device l6 may comprise an electric valve rectifier having its cathode energized from the source III by means of a transiormer-IB. This unilaterally conductive charging circuit therefore operates to charge the capacitor l5 to a potential substantially equal to that portion 01' the potential appearing across the impedance device l4 between the upper terminal thereof and the adjustable contact I1. The capacitor l5 also forms an element in the cathodeto grid circuit of the valve I2 which extends from the upper terminal of the impedance device I4 through the capacitor l5 to the grid by means 01' a current limiting resistor 19. It will be assumed that the potential new appearing across the capacitor I5 is suflicient to maintain the electric valve l2 substantially none conductive.

In order to reduce the potential charge existing across the capacitor l5 to a value at which the electric valve I2 will become conductive, this charge is reduced by periodic increments by applying to the capacitor periodic unidirectional impulses irom'a high impedance circuit. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, such a high impedance periodic unidirectional impulse generating circuit may be of any one of a number of forms. A satisfactory arrangement, as illustrated, comprises an electric valve rectifier, a source of pulsating current obtained from the secondary winding of the transformer l8, and a high impedance device 2|] which may be in the form of a resistor as shown. This periodic. unidirectional impulse generating circuit is given a high impedance characteristic by the impedance device 2!! so as to prevent the capacitor 15 from discharging through the cir cuit during the time when the rectifier 23 is conductive.

For a better understanding of the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 reference may be had to Fig. 2. The curve A in Fig. 2

illustrates the alternating potential E10 supplied by the source connected to the terminal in; the curve B shows the current I flowing in the anode circuit 01 the electric valve I2 and the curve represents the voltage E; appearing across the capacitor l5. It will be assumed that the capacitor I is initially completely discharged so that the grid or control element of the electric valve I2 is at proper potential and that -the valve is energized from the source of current appearing across the terminals l0. Since the grid and cathode of the valve I! are at the same potential, the valve I2. is conductive and the current in the anode circuit flows for a halt a cycle through the load H and the impedance device ll. The flow of current in the anode circuit 01' the valve l2 produces a voltage across the impedance device H, a portion oi! which is common to the capacitor charging circuit comprising the adjustable contact I1, the unilaterally conductive valve I! and. the leads appurtenant thereto. This charging circuit operates to impress a potential across the capacitor II so that the potential appearing across the capacitor will present a high negative potential to the grid or control element of the valve II. The potential of the capacitor ll now causes the valve I! to become nonconductive at theend b! the positive half of the alternating current cycle supplied Irom the source across the capacitor I5 is a certain value, for example, 25 volts, and that the voltage 0! the positive unidirectional current impulses supplied by the periodic unidirectional impulse generating circuit including the rectifier valves II and 5 the secondary winding of the transformer II is but a traction of the voltage appearing across the capacitor l5, as for example, one-fifth of the voltage or five volts. During one-hall of every cycle or the alternating current transmitted through the transformer It, the negative voltage appearing across the capacitor I5 will be reduced by an increment of voltage so that the voltage appearing across this capacitor will be represented by the curve C between the points X and Y. The increments of voltage applied by the periodic unidirectional impulse generating circuit reduce the negative charge across the capacitor l5 as indicated by the portion of the curve C marked Z. Thus, during the last cycle of the alternating current the increment Z supplies this power to the point whereon the curve C will be sufllcient to reduce the voltage appearing across the capacitor it to a value where the valve 12 will become conductive. The valve 12 again passes a half cycle of current and charges the capacitor it by means of the changing circuit to such a value that the potential across the capacitor I 5 is again in ativc. This cycle of operation will be repea. the valve is energised. Thus, in th. shown by the curve in Fig. 2, the the voltage impulses appearing acr. terminals ii be one-ilfth oi "equency of the alternating current appea .t i, across the terminals ill, lily adjusting the position oi! the contact I? on the impedance dev e ill, the periodicity oi. "the voltage :lmpi c appearing acrossthe output terminals ll may be selectively determined so as to be any .1. multiple oi 40 the frequency of the alternating cmnscqt appearing across the input terminals it.

in Fig. 3 there is disclosed a that portion of the circuit oi Fig. when the electric valve it is of he type. It will be noted that the the cathode of the unilaterally It now includes the winding o... a 2| and instead of being connected i adjustable point ll of the impedance ll, this cathode lead is now connected to the cathode lead of the electric valve l2. .lhe anode to cathode circuit of the electric valve it new includes the source it and the other winding of the transformer 2i and the point ll of the impedance device 14' which now appears as a resistor having one terminal thereof connected to the cathode lead of the valve H. The output circuit H is now connected across the transformer 2i and the impedance device M. A bias 00 battery 22 may be included in the grid to cathode circuit so as to give the proper control characteristics to the discharge device I2. If a continuous control type of vacuum type tube were substituted in the circuit of Fig. 1 without modification, the potential 01 the capacitor I! would be built up-so as to reduce the anode current flowing and thereby shut oil the current flowing before the capacitor It had been charged to a proper potential. in order to overcome this (111- riculty, the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 3 is utilized so that a rise in anode current will have no effect upon the charge of the capacitor ll. As the anode current decays, however, the voltage across the winding of the transformer II will be 76,

in such direction as to charge the capacitor l5 to the required negative value.

While we have shown a particular arrangement operating from a pulsating or alternating current source, it will, of course, be understood by any one skilled. in the art that we do not wish to be limited thereto since obviously, of course, the arrangement disclosed would operate from a source of periodic unidirectional impulses. It is, furthermore, obvious to those skilled in the art that the rectifying circuit comprising the rectifier valve 15, the secondary winding of the transformer l8 and the impedance device 20 may be any other type of circuit which produces periodic unidirectional impulses.

While we have shown a particular embodiment oi our invention, itwill, of course, be understood that we do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made in the circuit arrangement shown and in the instrumentalities employed, and that we contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:--

1. The method of controlling an electric discharge device having a control electrode which consists in impressing upon said control electrode a potential sufficient to maintain said discharge devicenonconductive, and subsequently changing said potential by periodic. increments to a value such as to render said discharge device conductive.

2. Apparatus for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric valve having a control element, means for impressing upon said control element a potentialsuificient to render said valve. nonconductive, means for changing by periodic increments the potential of said control element to a value suilicient to render said valve conductive, and means for reestablishing the original potential of said first mentioned means at predetermined intervals.

3. Apparatus for'generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric valve having an anode, a cathode and a control element, means for impressing upon said control element a potential suiiicient to render said valve nonconductive, means for changing by periodic increments the potential of said first mentioned means to a value sufficient to render said valve conductive, and means operative in response to the flow of anode current of said valve for periodically reestabllshing the initial value or the potential of said first mentioned means.

4. Apparatus for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric energy storage means, a unilaterally conductive circuit connected thereto for charging said storage means to a predetermined potential, a second circuit connected to said storage means, said second circuit having a high impedance and including a source of periodic unidirectional current impulses whereby the potential of said storage means is reduced by periodic increments to a predetermined value, an electric valve having a control element and a cathode associated with said energy. storage means, said electric valve being arranged so that no current will flow therethrough until the potential of said storage means is reduced to said predetermined value, an anode circuit for said valve including a source of potential and means for developing a potential in response to current flow therein, and means for selectively supplying a portion of said latter potential to said unilaterally conductive charging circuit.

5. Apparatus'for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric energy storage means, a circuit connected thereto including a unilaterally conductive device and a source of potential for charging said storage means to a predetermined potential, 2. second circuit connected to said storage means including a high impedance device and a source of periodic unidirectional current impulses for reducing the potential charge of said storage means by periodic increments, an electric valve having a control element and a cathode connected to said energy storage means, said electric valve being nonconductive until the potential charge of said storage means is reduced to a predetermined value, an anode circuit for said electric valve including a source of potential and means for developing a potential in response to current flow in said circuit, and means for selectively including a portion of said latter potential as the source of potential in said first circuit for determining the value of the potential to which said energy storage means is charged.

6. Apparatus for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric valve having a control electrode, an anode and a cathode, an anode circuit including a source of potential and means for developing a potential in response to current fiow in said circuit, a capacitor associated with said cathode and said control element, a circuit including a unilaterally conductive device connected to said capacitor and said potential developing means for charging said capaci- 3 tor to a potential of such sign and magnitude as to maintain said valve nonconductive, and a high impedance circuit including a source of periodic unidirectional impulses, said circuit being connected to said capacitor for reducing the potential charge thereof by periodic increments so as to render said valve conductive after a predetermined time.

7. Apparatus for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric valve having a control electrode, an anode and a cathode, an anode circuit including, a source of potential and an impedance device, a capacitor associated with said cathode and said control element, a circuit including a unilaterally conductive device connected between said control element and a point on said impedance device, a high impedance circult including a source of periodic unidirectional impulses, said circuit being connected across said capacitor, and an output circuit connected across said impedance device.

8. Apparatus for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric valve of the discontinuous control type having an anode, a cathode and a control element,-an anode circuit including an impedance device, a capacitor associated with said cathode and said control element, a capacitor charging circuit connected between said control element and a point on said impedance device, said charging circuitincluding a uni- 9. Apparatus for generating periodic current impulses comprising an electric valve of the discontinuous control type having an anode, a cathode and a control element, an anode circuit including an impedance device Ior generating a voltage in response to the flow of anode. current,

/ a capacitor connected in the grid circuit of said valve, a circuit connected to said capacitor and to an adjustable contact on said impedance device, said circuit including a unilaterally conductive device for permitting said capacitor to be charged to a potential dependent upon the posi tion of said adjustable contact, a rectifying circuit having its output connected to said capacitor for reducing by periodic increments the charge on said capacitor, a source of alternating current (or energizing said rectifier circuit and said valve, and

an output circuit connected to said impedance device.

CRAMER W. LA PIERRE. MILTON S. MEAD. FRANCIS B. 'MENGER. 

